Upholstered chair frame clamping machine



Dec. 6, 1966 N. R. LANCASTER UPI-IOLSTERED CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 La IN V E N TQR. 4 541 6 [AA 45702 F/GZ 1966 N. R. LANCASTER 3,290,039

UPHOLSTERED CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MACHINE Filed July 23, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,290,039 UPHOLSTERED CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MACHINE Neal R. Lancaster, J. M. Lancaster, Inc., P.O. Box 2462, Greensboro, N.C. Filed July 23, 1964, Ser. No. 384,693 11 Claims. (Cl. 269-25) This invention relates to a chair frame clamping machine and more particularly to an air operated upholstered chair frame clamping machine.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved chair frame clamping machine which will clamp a wide variety of sizes and shapes of chair frames, including barrel back frames and release the same when the clamping action is completed with a minimum of time, effort and difliculty, and which will require the minimum amount of wooden forms.

A further important object ofthe invention is the provision of such a chair frame clamping machine which is Provided with a front clamping plate and a movable rear clamping plate, the lattter being movable upon a supporting frame, for major adjustment, and being provided with a pair of air operated clamping devices, the latter being linearly movable toward and away from each other and also rotatable to accommodate barrel back chair frames or other frames having a rounded contour or angular relation with the remainder of the frame.

An additional object of the invention is the provision in a device of this character of remote means for controlling the operation of the air operated clamping means so that the frame may be clamped and released, after initial manual adjustment with a minimum of effort and difficulty.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character including vertically adjustable supporting means for the legs of the frame whereby frames having different lengths of legs may be readily accommodated with a minimum of effort.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device having laterally adjustable clamping devices on the front frame plate, which may be linearly adjusted to accommodate a variety of frame sizes, and

which are also provided with air operated means for quick clamping and release.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, install and utilize.

Other objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view, parts thereof being broken away, showing one form of device embodying the instant inventive concept. FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIGURE 1. FIGURE ,3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows and FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference nowto the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at a chair clamping machine constructed in accordance with the instant invention 3,290,039 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 which includes a fixed front plate 11 and a fixed rear plate 12, the plates being connected by lower rods or bars 13 extending along each side of the device. A pair of upper bars 14 are provided on each side of the apparatus, each of the upper bars being threaded as at 15 throughout a substantial proportion of its length. The threaded bars 15 have mounted thereon a linearly movable clamp carrying plate 16, which is provided with bores 16a through which the threaded portion 15 of rods 14 extend so that the clamp carrying plate may be linearly moved therealong. The plate has integrally mounted thereon a plurality of rotatable collars 17 which are interiorly threaded, to co-act with the corresponding threads on the rods 15, and which may all be simultaneously rotated by means of sprockets 18, there being one sprocket integrally connected to each collar.

The sprockets 18 are inter-connected by a single chain 19, which engages over a sprocket 20 mounted on a rotatable shaft 21 which may be turned by a hand wheel 22, the chain being guided by an idler sprocket 23 mounted on a stub shaft 24, the shafts 24 and 21 being mounted on the rear face of plate 16. The arrangement is thus obviously such that rotation of hand wheel 22 rotates all of sprockets 18 a corresponding amount, so that the entire plate assembly 16 is moved backwardly or forwardly relative to front plate 11 an identical distance.

Plate 16 carries on its upper surface a transverse plate like member 25 provided with flanged edges 26, which are engaged by interengaging flanges 27 of clamp-carrying blocks 28. Each of the blocks 28 carries a disc 29 having a plurality of spaced vertical bores therein for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

The interior of plate 25 is channeled or grooved as at 30, and is provided with a pair of oppositely threaded screws 31, each of which is provided with a polygonal end portion 32 journaled for rotation in the ends of plate- 25, so that either or both of the screws 31 may be rotated by a hand crank. The lower portion of each of blocks 28 is provided with a depending lug having a threaded bore therethrough (not shown) which is engaged ,by'one of the screws, so that rotation of the screw will move the block and its associated clamping mechanism, to be described hereinafter, laterally.

Each of the discs 29 has rotatably mounted thereon aclamp carrying plate 35 which is provided with a pair of'side channels 36 which slidably interfit with flanges 37 on opposite sides of a base member 38 which carries a pneumatically-actuated cylinder 39; the cylinder contains a conventional piston (not shown) which actuates the piston rod 40, the opposite end of which is seated in a block 41 carried by the end of the plate 35, so that when air under pressure is admitted to either end of the cylinder through one of fittings 42 the cylinder assembly is moved linearly relative to the block 35. An opening in plate 35 contains an elongated pin 43 which is provided with a knurled head, and which is adapted to be lifted and selectively inserted into one of the bores in the associated disc 29 to vary the angle of the clamping assembly as indicated in the top portion of FIGURE 1. The bores are so spaced that an angular Variation of 15, 30 or 45 may be achieved with a minimum of effort, so that the clamping mechanism may be adjusted to straight backed chair frames or barrel backed chair frames without difiiculty. The front of each cylinder is provided with a pair of fixed jaws 45 in which are adapted to be inserted preformed wooden forms which engage the rear of the particular chair to be clamped.

Air "is fed to the cylinders 39 through fittings 42 by means of tubes 46, which are in turn connected to pressure cylinders 47 suitably mounted on the rear plate, the admission of air being controlled by a conventional foot Y pedal 49 which may be positioned remotely from the apparatus, but which is preferably positioned outside of front plate 11 so as to be readily accessible to an operator.

' Means are provided for supporting the legs of a chair frame to be clamped on both plates 16 and 11, and take the form of horizontally extending supports 50 provided with vertical flanges 51 and angularly disposed reinforcing members 52. Openings are provided adjacent each end of vertical flange 51 which accommodate bolts 53 having knurled heads 54. The bolts 54 are adapted to engage selectively in aligned pairs of spaced openings 55, and, for similarly aligned spaced openings 56 in vertically posi tioned plates 57 secured to clamp carrying plate 16. Since the supports 50 are identical, identical reference characters are applied.

The supports 50 may be simultaneously adjusted to a desired level, from a relatively low position, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 2 to accommodate a frame with long legs, to a relatively high position as indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 to accommodate a frame with extremely short legs. The spacing of holes or openings 55 and 56 permits a wide variation in the length of chair legs which may be conveniently accommodated.

'Laterally movable front clamping means are also provided on front plate 11 to clamp the forward portion of the-frame. For this purpose a vertical plate 60 is mounted on the top of front frame 11, and extends transversely thereof. Plate 60 is provided with a central groove or channel 61 in which are mounted a pair of oppositely threaded screws 62 having polygonal end portions 62a which extend through in the walls of the plate. A first jaw 63 includes a'platelike portion 64 having upper and lower flanges 65 which ride on the edges of plate 60. A lug 66 extends into channel 61 and is provided with a threaded bore 67 which engages one of screws 62, so that rotation of screws 62a by means of a crank positioned on its associated end 62a will move the jaw 63 transversely of the apparatus. The plate 64 carries a perpendicularly related plate 68 which has form engaging L-shaped jaw members 69, and is reinforced by diagonal members 70, the jaws 69 being adapted to engage preformed wooden forms selected to engage the particular chair frame being clamped.

An opposite jaw 71 is substantially identical in construction includinga plate 72 and flanges 73 corresponding to the flanges 65, is provided with a lug 74 which extends into groove or channel 61 but the lug 74 is provided with a.

smooth bore 75 which may slide over its associated threaded rod 62'. The jaw 71 also includes a perpendicular plate 76 and form-engaging jaw members 77, which engage wooden forms similar to those engaged by jaw members 69 to clamp a particular chair frame. In this jaw, however, the angled reinforcing members 70 are replaced by rectangular plates 78 which at their rear portions carry an additional plate 79 which is connected to a piston rod 80. The piston rod in turn engages a piston (not shown) in an air operated cylinder 81, which is provided with flanges 82 which ride on the edges of plates 60, the cylin der also carrying a lug 83 extending into channel or groove 61 the lug containing a threaded bore 84 which is engaged bythe bolt 62. The arrangement is thus such that when the polygonal end 62a is rotated by a crank the entire assembly including the jaw 71 and the cylinder 81 are moved transversely of the plate 60. The air operated cylinder 81 is provided with air through a pair of fittings 85 at opposite ends thereof, so that movement of the piston interiorly of the cylinder, through piston rod 80, will move the jaws members 77 and their associated wooden forms into or out of engagement with the frame to be clamped.

The admission of air to the fittings 85 is controlled in a manner similar to that of the admission of air to the previously described fittings 42, air lines 86 extending to suitable reservoirs identical to the reservoirs 47, from which additional lines may extend to pedal 49, or to a separate but similar pedal which is operated in the same manner.

From the foregoing the operation of the device should now be readily understandable. An initial chair frame of the type to be clamped is seated on supports 50, and the latter adjusted by means of the knurled heads 54 of the bolts 53 to a desired height. Wooden forms are then constructed in accordance with the configuration of the chair and fitted in the jaws 45 and the jaws 69 and 77. The clamping cylinders 39 are adjusted to theproper angle by means of the pins 43 and their insertion into the appropriate bores in the discs 29. After the forms have been shaped to accommodate the particular chair, and the jaws adjusted by rotation of the screws 62' and 62', as well as by rotation of the screws 31, the original rough adjustment having been achieved by rotation of hand wheel 22, the pneumatic cylinders 81 and 39 are actuated by means of their appropriate control pedal or pedals 49 securely to clamp the chair frame. After the first frame has been clamped, further actuation of the foot pedal 49, will, by means of the pneumatic cylinders 39 and 81, promptly release the same, and any desired number of identical frames may be subsequently clamped merely by appropriate actuation of the foot control.

When a different type of chair is to be clamped it will I be obvious that the device may be readjusted, additional premanufactured wood forms inserted in the appropriate jaws, and the machine set up for additional run on a different type of chair.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved air operated upholstered chair frame clamping machine which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive.

concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A chair frame clamping machine comprising, in combination, a front plate, a rear plate, side bars connecting said front and rear plates, threaded rods above said side bars extending between said front and rear plates, aclamp carrying plate mounted for linear movement on said threaded rods, means for linearly moving said clamp carrying plate, a pair of transversely spaced chair. frame clamping members on said clamp carrying plate, means for moving said chair frame clamping members transversely toward and away from each other, additional chair frame clamping members on said front plate, air operated means for moving said first mentioned clamping members into and out ofengagement with a chair frame adapted to be positioned between said first mentioned clamping members and said additional clamping members, and remote means for actuating said air operated means.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided for moving said additional frame clamping members toward and away from each other.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein air operated means are provided for additional movement of said additional clamping members relative to each other.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein means are provided for supporting a chair frame to be clamped between said first mentioned and said additional clamping members. 1

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein means are provided for varying the relative height of said means for supporting a chair.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided for varying the relative angular position of said first mentioned clamping members relative to said clamp carrying plate in a horizontal plane.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said air operated means comprise air cylinders mounted for linear movement on plates carried by said clamp carrying plate and said remote means for actuating said air operated means comprise a foot pedal removed from said cylinders.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means for linearly moving said clamp carrying plate comprise a plurality of rotatable internally threaded collars surrounding said threaded rods, a sprocket attached to each collar, a common chain surrounding each sprocket, a rotatable hand wheel mounted on said clamp carrying plate and a sprocket movable by said hand wheel engaging said common chain.

9. The structure of claim 3 wherein said additional frame clamping members include a pair of opposed jaws, and a pair of opposed threaded rods, one of said jaws carrying a lug having a threaded bore therein engageable by one of said threaded rods and the other of said jaws having a lug with a smooth bore therein slidable along said threaded rod, said last mentioned jaw having a piston rod connected thereon, said piston rod extending into an air operated cylinder, said air operated cylinder having a lug with an internally threaded bore therethrough engaging the other of said threaded rods so that said cylinder and said other jaw may be linearly moved by rotation of said other rod as a unit.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein said first mentioned clamping members and said additional clamping members are each provided with jaw means, adapted for the reception of preformed chair frame engaging members.

11. The structure of claim 8 wherein a separate air controlling foot pedal is provided for the independent operation of said last mentioned air operated cylinder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1919 Wysong 26925 6/1943 Lancaster 269--25 

1. A CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MACHINE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FRONT PLATE, A REAR PLATES, SIDE BARS CONNECTING SAID FRONT AND REAR PLATES, THREADED RODS ABOVE SAID SIDE BARS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FRONT AND REAR PLATES, A CLAMP CARRYING PLATE MOUNTED FOR LINEAR MOVEMENT ON SAID THREADED RODS, MEANS FOR LINEARLY MOVESAID CLAMP CARRYING PLATE, A PAIR OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MEMBERS ON SAID CLAMP CARRYING PLATE, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MEMBERS TRANSVERSELY TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, ADDITIONAL CHAIR FRAME CLAMPING MEMBERS ON SAID FRONT PLATE, AIR OPERATED MEANS FOR MOVING SAID FIRST MENTIONED CLAMPING MEMBERS INTO AND OUT OF ENAGEMENT WITH A CHAIR FRAME ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID FIRST MENTIONED CLAMPING MEMBERS AND SAID ADDITIONAL CLAMPING MEMBERS, AND REMOTE MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID AIR OPERATED MEANS. 